tax increases and other spending cuts will fall into place over time. but not with unemployment insurance. unemployment americans who rely on federal aid will be cut off on january 1st, 2013. however, there is some good news on the unemployment front. the four-week average of job claims dropped to roughly 356,000. it's the lowest level since march 2008. but unfortunately, the national unemployment rate is still 7.7%. and if republicans in congress fail to accuracy millions of unemployed americans will be off to a very rough start for the new year. for more on this let's turn to the reverend dr. haines iii, senior pastor at friendship west baptist church. dr. haines, welcome to the show. >> thank you, professor dyson. >> isn't it ironic, dr. haines, through this entire debate the focus has been on the wealthiest americans paying more taxes, not people who will lose unemployment benefits come january 1st? you're the pastor of a huge church in dallas that talks about poverty and social injustice. what's your reaction to this? >> well, not only is it ironic